Chemistry is everywhereChemistry constitutes the basis

of life and all nature. Although

chemistry is often associated

with chemical factories and

with products such as paint and

oil, chemistry also encompasses

everything in nature, cooking food,

and the processes in our body.

Really everywhere.

Three segments, one entiretyThe chemical sector is comprised of industry, research, and education – three

segments that collaborate closely, and which mutually reinforce each other.

The chemical industry and universities work closely together in areas including

the development of new theories and processes, whilst industry and research

are both greatly dependent on the educational segment for the provision of

qualified staff. Consequently each segment’s image exerts an influence on the

image of the other segments.

Industry

The chemical industry manufactures valuable, necessary, attractive and clean

products that meet society’s needs. Industry carries out research, learns,

develops, and manufactures. The chemical industry’s products contribute to

the quality of our lives.

Chemistry manufactures.

Research

Chemists are fascinated by the structure and functionality of molecules, and

the opportunities they offer. University and industrial research results in the

development of knowledge and new applications. Chemists learn from nature,

and they endeavour to use their knowledge of natural chemical processes to

develop new technologies and products. This knowledge enables chemistry to

make a contribution to solving current and future societal problems.

Chemistry researches.

Education

Chemistry, in analogy with physics, mathematics, and biology, is an exact

science. Chemistry can be studied at a variety of levels: at secondary school,

and at institutions ranging from upper secondary vocational colleges to

universities. Chemistry is unique, since chemists make discoveries and

develop new products: consequently chemistry is a profession for the

inquisitive. Knowledge of chemistry lays excellent foundations for your future

career in the chemical sector – or in other sectors.

Chemistry discovers.

The chemical sector

The industry, research and education segments of the chemical sector exhibit

strong mutual relationships: the industrial segment is dependent on research

and education, the research segment is inspired by practical applications, and

the educational segment trains students for a career in chemistry, research, or

education. These evident relationships between industry, research and

education result in a powerful, significant sector – both for us, and for society.

Chemistry is seeingPeople with poor sight can benefit from glasses – and, nowadays, from

contact lenses. Although the contact lens is a relatively recent invention,

Leonardo da Vinci actually drew up a design in as early as 1508.

However, it would be 1936 before a material was launched on the market

which was suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses: polymethyl

methacrylate (acrylic glass). Since acrylic glass is easy to machine and

polish it constitutes an ideal raw material for contact lenses. Further

developments have taken place in the plastics industry since then, and

scientists continue to seek materials that are even more suitable for the

eyes.

We researchChemists are fascinated by the opportunities offered by nature: the

majority of the chemical sector’s discoveries and innovations are based on

studies of the properties of natural compounds and the sophisticated use

of this newly-acquired knowledge.

Our sector’s scientists work at research institutes and at companies:

they jointly account for one-quarter of Dutch industrial research and

development. Our scientists learn from each other, and continually

exchange their knowledge with colleagues in the Netherlands and all over

the world. This expands our knowledge.

Dutch chemical research ranks among the world’s best, and regularly

receives international recognition – inclusive of Nobel prizes: Van ‘t Hoff,

in 1901, Peter Debye, in 1936, and Paul Crutzen, in 1995, all succeeded

in elevating Dutch chemical research to an international top level.

Consequently chemistry is an important factor in the Dutch knowledge

economy.

We research.

Chemistry is efficientResearchers are gaining an

increasingly precise insight into

the natural properties of crops,

knowledge that enables them to

develop varieties that had

previously been thought

impossible. Experts use these

insights to develop products that

require lower quantities of

pesticides, fertilizers, and water –

all based exclusively on biology.

One example of these

developments is a new variety of

rice which offers growers

increased yields in combination

with a substantially shorter

cultivation period. This variety

of rice – obtained by crossing

Asian and Asian varieties, and

called ‘Nerica’ – is richer in

proteins, exhibits a greater

resistance to diseases and insect

infestation, and can be grown on

a broader range of soil types.

We offer solutionsWe also focus on resolving specific societal problems: chemistry plays an

unmistakeable role in solving problems relating to issues such as the

climate, reliable food and certain diseases.

The majority of developments in the sustainability field are based on

chemistry: solar panels, cars powered by hydrogen or biofuels and

biodegradable plastics could not have been developed without our

knowledge of chemistry.

Almost all manufacturing processes have an environmental impact. Our

efficient use of raw materials and energy and endeavours to restrict

harmful emissions are both designed to minimize the environmental

impact of our operations. Moreover our discoveries and our products also

offer major savings in use by virtue of their longer serviceable life or

lower energy consumption. In addition, since fossil raw materials will

ultimately become exhausted we are also researching the feasibility of

using alternative raw materials. Research into all these fields requires

knowledge of societal problems and issues, and – and above all –

knowledge of the opportunities chemistry offers in resolving these

problems. We possess the knowledge.

We offer solutions.

Chemistry is skating without iceOur climate is changing, and the

chance that we will be able to

skate on natural ice decreases every

winter. For this reason a ‘Glice’

skating rink was opened in the

Province of Friesland at the end of

2007 – a synthetic skating rink that

is always available, since the ice

has been replaced by special

polyethylene sheets coated with a

special wax. Three years’ develop-

ment resulted in a skating-rink

surface with virtually the same

properties as natural ice. In contrast

to plastic skating rinks developed

for applications such as ice hockey,

this new skating rink does not

require the use of special skates. In

relative terms it is also cheaper, and

consumes less energy because

freezing installations and climate

control are no longer required.

We manufactureChemistry offers a limitless potential: ours is an innovative sector, and

developments in chemistry have a major effect on developments in

society. For example, the microchips in our mobile telephones and MP3

players could not have been developed without chemistry. Chemistry

enables us to separate metals, create alloys, and bond metals in the

manner we require.

Our valuable plastics are manufactured using chemical processes – as

are our cosmetics, cleaning agents, and foods. The development of the

medicines that are indispensable to today’s complex and, consequently,

vulnerable society would have been impossible without chemistry.

Chemistry develops new materials that offer sustainable solutions for

complex problems: light but nevertheless strong building materials,

biodegradable plastics, and super-strong coatings and fibres that enable

us to go to the Moon. In fact, the potential is unlimited. Discovering and

manufacturing new products is in our chemists’ genes.

We manufacture.

Chemistry is colourNowadays special compounds can

be added to paints for indoor

applications, such as water-

repellent paint for bathrooms and

kitchens, paint with metal

particles that creates a magnet

board on the wall, and

blackboard paint to provide a

surface suitable for chalk.

Sophisticated paint technologies

are also used in other

applications, such as a paint that

does not dry but nevertheless

protects the underlying surface.

This paint deters burglars from

climbing drainpipes or climbing

over fences, since anyone who

tries to do so is readily

identifiable from the paint on

their hands – which is difficult to

remove.

We developSafer, lighter, more environmentally-friendly, more economical, faster,

more efficient, more sustainable, and stronger: chemists are confronted

by these challenges every day. Everything needs to be better – and this

goal, together with inquisitiveness and fascination, constitutes the driving

force for everyone active in the industry, research and education segments

of the chemical sector. We train people to adopt a decisive approach

to developing sustainable solutions. Chemists exhibit inquisitiveness

and enthusiasm in their development of new processes, products and

applications. Scientists active in the chemical sector carry out excellent

research – excellent research that enables industry to develop innovations

which are used all over the world.

We develop.

Chemistry is healthier foodThe Dutch live increasingly longer.

An aging population is

accompanied by the concomitant

health problems, and there is a

continually increasing demand for

healthy products. In the

Netherlands the most important

category of these functional foods

is comprised of dairy products

with added minerals (primarily

calcium), vitamins, and probiotics.

Major benefits can be achieved

by modifying existing products to

accommodate new dietary

insights, and consequently the

development of foods of this

nature will increasingly be

tailored to individual needs:

Personal Foods.

We are part of societyIt’s chemistry. However, most chemical processes take place without us

thinking about them or even seeing them – in our body, when we are

cooking or cleaning, when we wash ourselves, and in nature. Moreover,

the same is also true for the chemical industry. Society often fails to

notice our products: after all, how many people associate a water-

repellent jacket with chemistry? Nevertheless, these jackets make use of a

number of chemical innovations.

And how many people know that peanut butter, custard and soup all

make use of chemicals to increase the shelf life, improve the spreadability

or solubility, or simply to improve the flavour?

And what about makeup, shampoo, or bath foam? Or electronics: the

microchips in your mobile telephone and iPod could not have been

manufactured without knowledge of chemistry. And what about car tyres

that reduce fuel consumption?

Or medical science? Medicines that do exactly what they are intended to

do, with fewer side-effects: they could not have been developed without

chemistry. Moreover, complex medical treatments that do not require a

major operation would be infeasible without our products.

We are part of society.

Chemistry is healthDepression is one of the most common ailments, and consequently a great

deal of energy is invested in the development of good antidepressants.

These efforts have resulted in the development of Mirtazapine (Remeron),

an antidepressant with a unique effect since it results in many fewer side-

effects than earlier medicines. Mirtazapine not only improves the patient’s

mood; it also improves the quality of sleep, and reduces anxiety and

agitation.

We developResearch, discoveries and innovations are related to each other, since the

research institutes’ further development of our knowledge of chemistry

and chemical technology – research into the unknown – enables us to

make discoveries. Many ideas ultimately result in innovative applications,

new products, modifications of products, or new production methods.

Our discoveries enable us, for example, to reduce the amount of energy

required to manufacture a product, manufacture products that save more

energy than the energy required to make them, or manufacture products

that increase the safety of our food.

The Dutch chemical sector is extremely innovative: for example, a

recently-developed sports drink enables sportsmen and women to recover

much more rapidly after exhibiting a top performance. The sector has also

developed high-grade plastics which are both very light and extremely

strong, plastics which are now used by aviation companies all over the

world.

What is referred to as ‘green chemistry’ focuses on issues such as

efficient methods for the use of natural raw materials – also referred to

as ‘biomass’ – as the constituents for chemical processes. Nanotechnology

can be used for applications such as the development of intelligent

packaging for foods. The packaging analyses the conditions under which

the food is stored and indicates when it is no longer fit for consumption.

All these innovations exert an influence on – and improve – our everyday

life.

We develop.

Chemistry is reduced resistanceThe shipping industry uses

special paint containing silicon

compounds to obtain extremely

smooth hulls that offer little

resistance to water, and which

prevent algae or acorn barnacles

from clinging to the surface. The

industry formerly used paints

containing heavy metals to

prevent algal growth on hulls.

These paints were extremely

harmful to the environment. The

new silicon paints can achieve

fuel savings of as much as fifteen

percent – and they spare the

environment.

We are appreciatedThe chemical sector is of great importance to the Dutch economy and

society. Dutch research and innovation is amongst the best in the world,

and in global terms we are the front runner in segments such as basic

chemicals, food ingredients, coatings, and high-performance materials.

The Dutch educational sector offers high-quality courses in chemistry that

attract students from all over the world. We make a major contribution

to the Netherlands’ employment, gross national product, and exports.

Chemistry’s got what it takes, …and it’s essential!

We are appreciated.

Chemistry is self-healingSome new materials can be

discovered without needing to use

complicated chemicals or

processes; for example, French

researchers have succeeded in

developing a new type of rubber

that is able to repair itself. This

new material is manufactured

from fatty acids that possess the

important property of being able

to link up with each other. In

analogy with rubber, the product

can be stretched without breaking.

Moreover if the material does

break, or is accidently cut through,

then all you need to do is to bring

the two ends together: the ends

join up again within fifteen

minutes – and all at room

temperature. Furthermore, since

the material is made from

vegetable oils it is cheap to

manufacture and environmentally-

friendly. Perhaps mending

punctures will become a thing of

the past.

We are socially responsibleWe attach paramount importance to sustainable development: we need

to spare our planet and our staff, and ensure for their safety. For this

reason we devote a great deal of attention to the effects of our operations

on society. We are aware of the risks, approach our work with great care,

and take expert action if something does go wrong. Consequently from

this perspective the chemical sector is also part of society, both in terms

of our attitude and conduct. Our safety systems are used as examples by

other sectors, such as hospitals and the construction industry. Our

objective is to make a sustainable contribution to Dutch prosperity and

well-being. For this reason our sector intends to grow and to make more

economical use of raw materials, and consequently we seek new

opportunities for further energy conservation and for sustainable

alternatives for fossil raw materials. This is also the reason why we

manufacture products to insulate homes, reduce vehicle fuel consumption,

and increase food safety.

The majority of the Dutch chemical sector’s prospects lie in the fields of

industrial biotechnology, catalysis, materials, and process technology – our

innovation lines, fields in which we intend to rank amongst the world’s

best, and fields which will enable us to achieve sustainable growth.

We are socially responsible.

We contribute to the quality of lifeChemistry plays an important role in our lives. Our knowledge of

chemistry ensures that we have sufficient food which has a long shelf

life and is safe, that we have medicines to treat everyday illnesses and

serious diseases, that we have heat and power (possibly generated

from sustainable resources), that we can buy cosmetics and fashionable

clothing, and that we have continual access to telephones and music

wherever we are. Our research, staff training and manufacture of a wide

range of products all contribute to the quality of everyone’s day-to-day

life.

Chemistry is everywhere.